When we speak about traumatic experience, words are sometimes not enough. At times, what a person has lived through makes speaking aloud impossible. Every word may evoke pain or images from the past. The body, emotions and behaviour speak instead.
Trauma affects every area of life. It can paralyse a woman’s participation in society and leave its mark on relationships with men, women and children. A person may feel alone because others cannot understand her feelings and pain, or may fear traumatising others with her story. Trauma may return only occasionally or remain constantly nearby. Speaking about it can be difficult, painful and frightening.
In such situations, a women’s circle in which participants have lived through traumatic experiences can become a safe place where speaking is not compulsory. Sometimes another person’s look is enough to understand: I am not alone. Women may draw, embroider or work with their experience through other creative forms. When words are insufficient or too painful, creativity and a circle of peers can help.
This creative work allows traumatic experience to be approached gradually and carefully while retaining a sense of safety. Participation is appropriate only when the experience is no longer an acute situation.
How does it work? First, it is a circle of people who genuinely understand the feelings and pain without words. Second, when we help and support others, processes in the body can strengthen resilience to stress. Third, the women’s circle is a safe space — a place where we know and feel that we are not under physical or psychological threat. We can loosen control, psychological defences become less rigid, and support provides the capacity needed for the work. A person may remain silent if she wishes.
The circle also allows participants to see how others have coped and what supports them, to understand that coping is possible and life continues. Everyone has an equal place there. The experience of one woman can become motivation and support for others.